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57 SECONDS: Less Than A Minute To Take A First Look At Morgan Freeman And Josh Hutcherson In The New Action Sci-Fi

Production is now underway in Louisiana for action sci-fi thriller, 57 Seconds, starring Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) and Josh Hutcherson (Hulu series “Future Man”), and we now have our first look photo from the film which you can view above. Written by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore), 57 Seconds centers on tech blogger Franklin Fausti (Hutcherson) who lands a career-defining interview with the visionary technology guru Anton Burrell (Freeman). After thwarting an attack against the celebrated technophile, Franklin picks up a mysterious ring that Burrell has dropped and soon discovers the ring allows its possessor to travel 57 seconds into the past. Driven by revenge and with Burrell’s support, Franklin uses the ring to dismantle the pharmaceutical company responsible for his sister’s death. But he soon gets entangled in a treacherous and brutal chain of events with much more than his own destiny […]

OCCUPATION: Luke Sparke’s Alien Invasion Sci-Fi Saga Lines Up Five More For ‘RAINFALL’ Trilogy

Lee B. Golden III

Director Luke Sparke is setting in motion the next installment of his Occupation alien invasion saga with Occupation: Rainfall Chapter 2, and is casting Jeremy Piven (Rock n Rolla, Entourage), Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Van Helsing, Bombshell, upcoming Step Up: High Water), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus) and Danny Trejo (Machete) in the new outing. The quintet will join the returning ensemble of actors from the previous films including the voice of Jason Isaacs, Jet Tranter, Dan Ewing, Zac Garred, Charles Mesure, and Dena Kaplan. Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment is handling worldwide sales rights at the Cannes market with the new movie segueing immediately into pre-production afterward, and with an additional fourth film tying-in as Occupation: Rainfall Chapter Three also in development. Occupation: Rainfall Chapter Two sees Earth’s resistance thrown into chaos as an ominous new threat ruthlessly hunts down the humans that are left, and […]

POKER FACE: Place Your Bets In The First Look At Russell Crowe’s New Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Archlight Films is proudly sharing a first look at Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe’s new upcoming thriller, Poker Face. Crowe, who previously helmed the multi-award winner, The Water Diviner (2014), is directing from a script he co-wrote with Stephen M. Coates (John Doe: Vigilante). Poker Face is set in the world of high stakes poker. Crowe stars as billionaire gambler Jake Foley who gives his best friends a night they’ll never forget, a chance to win more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they’ve spent their lives doing everything to keep….their secrets. As the game unfolds, the friends will discover the real stakes they’re playing for, the biggest stakes of them all. The film also stars Emmy nominee Liam Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. Principal photography has since wrapped its New South Wales shoot and is currently […]

SILENT NIGHT: First Look At Joel Kinnaman In John Woo’s New Revenge Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Legendary action auteur John Woo (Hard Boiled, Face/Off, Manhunt) is bring back the action with new revenge thriller, Silent Night. Handling worldwide sales on the new film at the Cannes market this week is Capstone Global who are now providing a first look still featuring lead actor Joel Kinnaman (The Suicide Squad) which you can view above. Written by Robert Lynn (Adrenaline), Silent Night centers on Godlock, a father on a mission to avenge his young son who was tragically caught in the crossfire of gang violence on Christmas Eve. Shot and nearly killed while in pursuit of the murderers, Godlock vows to avenge his son by any means necessary. Silent Night also stars Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi), Harold Torres, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. The film has since wrapped principal photography in Mexico City and is currently in post-production with a release date pending. Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee […]

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News Briefs: PRIZEFIGHTER For Amazon; ‘Reacher’ Star In FAST X; ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Casts Young ‘Snow’; REBEL MOON Adds Ed Skrein And More

Lee B. Golden III

• Prizefighter: The Life Of Jem Belcher has been sold to Amazon. Matt Hookings stars in the Daniel Graham-directed pic “set at the turn of the 19th century” and centerd on “a gifted young boxer who fought his way to becoming champion of England under the watchful eye of trainer and surrogate father Bill Warr. The film also stars Ray Winstone, Marton Csokas, Jodhi May, Steven Berkoff and Julian Glover, and is also the current subject of internal pay disputes between crew and production. (Deadline) • A week after inking a three-picture deal with Amazon, Alan Ritchson (“Titans”, “Reacher”) is reportedly in talks to join Universal’s May 19, 2023 release of Fast X. All details are light to nil as production is in early stages with Vin Diesel headlining the mix cast of new and returning characters. Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, The Incredible Hulk) is directing following franchise co-helmer Justin […]

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance To Catch South Indian Action Blockbuster RRR In Select Theaters On June 1

Lee B. Golden III

S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR is getting a much-needed re-release in the U.S. for anyone looking to catch one of this year’s biggest Indian blockbusters for the first time on the big screen, or once more for a second serving. Variance Films and Potentate Films are partnering up with distributor Sarigama Cinemas for a “last chance” one-night only limited theatrical screening in over 100 select theaters across the United States on June 1. The news marks the latest move for the film since since the film’s milestone success in theaters upon its March 24 release, grossing over $14 million in North America, out of it $140 million worldwide earnings and becoming the number three film of all time in India in just 40 days. The reason now for its re-release is mainly to give more moviegoers and action fans a chance to catch the film in a more spacious window without being […]

Biblical Epic THE BOOK OF CLARENCE, A Nod To Jeymes Samuel’s ‘The Harder They Fall’ Is In The Works

Lee B. Golden III

Jeymes Samuel (a.k.a. “The Bullitts”) is moving forward with Biblical epic, The Book Of Clarence, which will star Lakeith Stanfield (Death Note, Sorry To Bother You). The film rejoins the two following Samuel’s hit Netflix Western, The Harder They Fall, in which Stanfield portrays Cherokee Bill, a member of the notorious gang led by outlaw Rufus Buck, played by Idris Elba in the film. Plot details are under wraps, but according to a new interview over at Deadline on Monday, Samuels notes the film follows up from an easter egg in The Harder They Fall in a key dialogue moment where the Nat Love gang regroups with legendary sheriff Bass Reeves to confront Buck who was since pardoned for his crimes, forcefully retreived from a Yuma-bound prison transport and re-settled in Redwood City. You’re welcome to check out that scene in the film which is now available on Netflix, which […]

IN THE OCTAGON: Wang Baoqiang Directing And Starring In New MMA Drama Based On A True Story

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and martial artist Wang Baoqiang (Kung Fu Killer, Rising Shaolin: The Protector) is currently en route with his second turn at the helm with In The Octagon (a Google translation reads the characters via Chinese media reports as “In The Octagonal Cage”). Wang’s In The Octagon centers on a coach’s efforts to train local orphans to become professional fighters in Chengdu, China. The film takes its cues from a real-life story back in 2017 when Chengdu-based Endo MMA, a gym reportedly launched in 2001 by a former police officer who is Tibetan, with the intended purpose of keeping young orphans away from a life of crime, instead drew controversy following the release of a viral video shortfilm documenting the fighting, which led to an investigation of the club. Wang, who previously directed and co-wrote (and starred in) 2017 adventure comedy, Buddies In India, is starring as the protagonist of […]

Don Lee Set To Reprise His Role In Third Outing For THE OUTLAWS Cop Thriller Franchise, Fourth And More Also In The Works

Lee B. Golden III

Multiple Korean news outlets are reporting that a third follow-up to Kang Yoon-sung’s 2017 cop thriller vehicle, The Outlaws, is well on the way with a forth installment already in development. Lee Sang-yong, who directed the second film, The Roundup, will rejoin his star to helm the pic which is currently slated for a 2023 release. Partial casting details reported by Maeil Business Newspaper’s Han Hyun-jung further include Lee Jun-hyuk (Baseball Girl, Along With The Gods 1 & 2), Munetaka Aoki (Rurouni Kenshin franchise), Lee Beom-su (The Divine Move, Unfinished), and Kim Min-jae (Unstoppable, The Battleship Island). The report also hints that successes on the second, the pending third and fourth films could also lead to possible developments for four more titles in the line-up, totaling eight films altogether. Lee, who also stars in films like The Unjust, Kundo, Train To Busan and Derailed to name a few, headlined writer/director […]

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BOUDICA: ‘Hell Hath No Fury’ Helmer To Direct Warrior Queen Epic Later This Year

Lee B. Golden III

Action veteran Jesse V. Johnson (Hell Hath No Fury, Savage Dog, Avengement upcoming White Elephant) will shoot warrior queen epic, Boudica, in Wales this August. Johnson will direct from his own script with actress Olga Kurylenko (Quantum Of Solace, Black Widow, Sentinelle) starring in the title role. Inspired by events in A.D. 60, Boudica follows the eponymous Celtic warrior who rules the Iceni people alongside her husband Prasutagus. When he dies at the hands of Roman soldiers, Boudica’s kingdom is left without a male heir and the Romans seize her land and property. Driven to the edge of madness and determined to avenge her husband’s death, Boudica rallies the various tribes from the region and wages an epic war against the mighty Roman empire. Pic hails from Bleiberg Entertainment and Picture Perfect; Ehud Bleiberg is producing with Johnson, with Danny Dimbort, Nicholas Bennett and Ariel Bleiberg exec producing. Bleiberg/Dimbort will […]

PALIDO: Kellan Lutz Action Thriller Heads To Cannes With Key Sales Art For Premiere

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Kellan Lutz will star in writer/director Javier Reyna’s new action thriller, Palido. Further casting is already underway with L.A.-based Premiere Entertainment Group announcing the pic this week with sales art to present at next week’s Cannes market repping worldwide sales. Lutz, whose credits partly include The Twilight saga, Extraction, The Legend Of Hercules, Java Heat and The Expendables 3, will play an attorney with a military past who hunts down the gang that killed his wife and brother, and took his daughter. Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, The Milagro Beanfield War), and Al Bravo are producing for Al Bravo Films alongside Elias Axume for Premiere, whose Carlos Rincon is exec producing. “We are excited to have Kellan on board the film,” said Premiere CEO Elias Axume. “He’s a dynamic actor with wide range that elevates any film to the next level.” Recent Premiere original productions include Jason Patric thriller Shrapnel and […]

Meet Malay Warrior MAT KILAU In The First Poster And Character/BTS Reels

Lee B. Golden III

Crossing over to Malaysia for bit, we’ve got a handful of behind-the-scenes character reels and an official poster for Mat Kilau, the latest from director Syamsul Yusof who is best known for the first and second KL Gangster action thrillers, as well as the award-winning horror Munafik and its 2018 sequel. Production actually took place roughly four years ago and from a few online reads, it wasn’t an easy shoot. According to Yusof himself, Studio Kembara reseached the legendary hero for two years and eventually tried its own incarnation of “Mat Kilau” but failed to make headway with just fifty percent of it completed. When Yusof was tapped to take over the project, he suggest a redo with his own touch, and from that point on, production still hit a few snags, sans details. Nonetheless, four years in and with random photos all but standing as the only evidence of […]

KODAMA Wraps: New BTS Stills Offer A First Look At Brian Tang’s Samurai SWAT Fantasy Action Short

Lee B. Golden III

Director Brian Tang and set photographer Marshall Hall have revealed new behind-the-scenes photos of Tang’s new sci-fi fantasy martial arts action short, Kodama. The project wrapped shooting on Friday after a week of principal photography beginning last weekend, following a crowdfunding period through Kickstarter earlier this year. Blending Japanese fantasy aesthetics and folklore with modern-day tactical action, Kodama centers on Arthur, the new captain of an elite SWAT Samurai team who leads a rescue mission to recover his father from the spirit world where an evil “Kodama”, and a dangerous shapeshifting Fox Spirit hold him hostage. The cast is led by Brandon Soo Hoo (Supah Ninjas”, G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra and “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”) and Chris Tashima (Go For Broke, The Perfect Weapon). Penny Lin is producing alongside Brendon Bennett and Norrie Palmer, with costume design by Poland-based Craft Collabo, an original score by Ahmed […]

ZORRO Taps ‘Elite’ Actor Miguel Bernardeau For Amazon Prime Series

Lee B. Golden III

The latest report from Variety‘s John Hopewell brings word that Amazon’s Prime Video platform which will now also be host to its own Zorro series starring Miguel Bernardeau (Netflix series “Elite”) in the title role, and Mexican actress Renata Notni (Netflix’s “El Dragón: Return of a Warrior”). The ten-episode series is being billed as an up-to-date version of the classic Diego De La Vega character and his alterego, and hails from L.A.-based Secuoya Studios. It will be directed by Javier Quintas (“Money Heist”, “Sky Rojo”) and Miguel Angel Vivas, (“Locked Up”, “Unauthorized Living”) from a script by Carlos Portela (“Hierro,” “Velvet Collection”). More from the report: Zorro will be shaped by relationships from his youth, love and disappointment in love which will forge his development as a character and reflect a kind of masculinity far from stereotypes, Secuoya announced. His battle also takes in discovering who murdered his father, a personal […]

Marathi Crime Pic GHAATH, Pulled From Berlinale 2021 Without Explanation, Remains In Limbo; Director Alleges ‘Blatant Discrimination’

Lee B. Golden III

Debut director Chhatrapal Ninawe’s Marathi-language feature debut, Ghaath (Ambush), is currently in limbo. According to a long-form disclosure via social media by Ninawe on Friday, he alleges production company Jio Studios of being “hell-bent on killing the film” fifteen months after the company sent a restraining order to the Berlin Film Festival last year, effectively killing any chances of the film’s premiere at the 71st Berlinale. By Ninawe’s affirmation, the screening would have been a “life-changing” moment for tribal communities who aren’t ever exposed to the cinema world, especially since “ninety percent of the cast of the film is either tribal or Dalit,”. He called the move “blatant discrimination”, alleging earlier on in the post of a possible “attempt to curtail a tribal filmmaker’s voice on national and international platforms.” Ninawe’s version of events, in accordance with screenshots he shared on his Facebook page, indicate that for the most part, […]

REVEALER: AMC’s Shudder Acquires Luke Boyce’s Apocalyptic Survival Horror Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

AMC Network’s premium horror streamer, Shudder, has acquired Emmy Award-winning director Luke Boyce’s latest thriller, Revealer. The news comes off the heels of its U.S. premiere at Kansas City’s Panic Fest, winning lead star Caito Aase (Black Mold) the fest’s Audience Award for Best Actress. Boyce directed from a script by comic authors Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Revival) and Michael Moreci (Barbaric, The Plot). Set in Chicago 1987’s Revealers Bookstore, Aase plays Angie, a peep show dancer who, along with an overzealous religious protestor named Sally (Shaina Schrooten – Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge), must cast aside her differences and pair up and navigate the treacherous bootlegger tunnels below the store in order to fight and survive the unknown evil that’s overtaken the city. Revealer is produced by Shatterglass Films and The Line Film Co., as well as Sarah Sharp, Robert Patrick Stern and Brett Hays. Aaron B. Koontz rounds […]

THE BLACK KAISER Signals The Return Of Mads Mikkelsen’s Hitman Role In ‘Polar’ Sequel

Lee B. Golden III

Swedish filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund will reteam with actor Mads Mikkelsen for The Black Kaiser, a sequel to Åkerlund’s adaptation of Victor Santos’s 2012 graphic novel publication, Polar which premiered on Netflix in 2019. Mikkelsen, whose recent credits partly include Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Anders Thomas Jensen’s award-winning Riders Of Justice and David Yates’s Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore, penned the script with Jayson Rothwell, is reprising his role from the first film with casting currently underway. Polar firstly saw Mikkelsen in the role of Duncan Vizla (a.k.a. The Black Kaiser), settling into retirement when he soon finds himself marked for death by his former employer. In The Black Kaiser according to the trades as announced on Thursday, “the Black Kaiser (Mikkelsen), the world’s most lethal hitman, uncovers a deadly conspiracy protecting a powerful syndicate of killers, and becomes their number one target.” Jeremy Bolt and Robert Kulzer […]

News Briefs: James Hong In GIMME MY MONEY; Shudder, RLJE Films On DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS; ‘Top Gun 2’ Actor In HITMAN; THUG From ‘Cold Pursuit’ Duo

Lee B. Golden III

• Hot on the heels of scoring his long-awaited star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, celebrated character actor James Hong’s newest film, kung fu comedy Gimme My Money, will be shopping at Cannes for Taiwan/L.A.-based Organic Media Group. Hong is joined by Marci Miller and Raymond J. Barry, with a script by director Bill Vigil “about a tough, mysterious woman who calls on the mob to collect and makes sure that this time, crime is going to pay.” (Variety) • AMC’s Shudder and RLJE Films are partnering on Destroy All Neighbors. Directed by Josh Forbes and starring Jonah Ray Rodrigues (Mystery Science Theater 3000) and Alex Winter (Bill and Ted franchise), 2023-dated film is written by Mike Benner, Jared Logan, and Charles Pieper, and centers on a struggling prog-rock musician William Brown (Rodrigues) who finds himself in a living nightmare when he accidentally kills Vlad (Winter), the neighbor from […]

HUNT Trailer And Clip: Lee-Jung Jae And Jung Woo-Sung Are Caught In A Deadly Assassination Plot In Lee’s Feature Directing Debut!

Lee B. Golden III

Back in the fray is celebrated Deliver Us From Evil and Typhoon star, actor Lee Jung-jae, freshly on the prowl with representation both at home in Korea and in the states following the successful run of hit Netflix series, Squid Game, and only growing his career having also directed his first feature film with political thriller, Hunt. And, in no better time than now does he find himself reuniting with longtime friend and colleague, actor Jung Woo-sung since their heyday together on 1998 drama, City Of The Rising Sun. So where does that leave us on a film like Hunt? Well, judging by the new trailer and clip below courtesy of The Upcoming, I’ll tell you: Explosive action and intrigue with Lee and Jung in the drivers’ seat and leading a cat-and-mouse chase riddled with bullets, wit and danger at every turn. It’s all kinetic, fast moving and the energy […]

DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPER HERO to Release Worldwide in Summer!

Edward Orndorff

Crunchyroll and Toei Animation are teaming up to launch the new Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO film globally this summer. Available both in subtitled and dubbed, the film will be released in just about every region excluding Japan. SUPER HERO was penned and character designed by series creator Akira Toriyama himself, with director Tetsuro Kodama (Dragon Ball Super: Broly) directing. The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero! –Official Synopsis Multiple regular seiyuu for the series, including Toshio Furukawa and Masako Nozawa, will be returning to their roles. New characters Dr. Hedo and the Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, will be […]